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The ‘Colossal Mistake’ May Lead to a Colossal Bill

A first-lesson faux pas caused damage, although it wasn’t readily apparent.

When undergoing routine maintenance, the sight of an uncowled engine is interesting. When undergoing unexpected maintenance, it can be chilling. [Photo: Jason McDowell]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Following a serious engine overheating incident caused by his own mistake, the author felt immense guilt but gained confidence during a challenging second flight lesson in gusty winds.
  • Despite the engine's apparent normal function, a mechanic's inspection revealed significant internal damage, including reduced compressions and cracks in multiple cylinders, leading to estimated repair costs ranging from $5,000 to $35,000.
  • Facing a substantial financial burden for repairs, the author received a hopeful lead from his instructor about a previous owner who might have a spare engine.
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Editor’s note: This is part two of a three-part series. You can read the first part here.

One of my favorite writers is an adventure travel writer named Tim Cahill. He has made a career of getting into precarious situations in remote corners of the globe, deftly extricating himself from danger, and then writing about it so we can experience his adventures from the comfort of our living room couches.

Jason McDowell

Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.

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